This is a discussion on Advice on best ways to go about detailing exterior. within the Detailing Forum forums, part of the Tech & Modifying & General Repairs category; So when it starts getting nicer out I want to clay bar, compound, polish etc. My car could use it. ...

Their are a lot of products out there some good some not. A good product that are cost effective is the mothers brand. I perfer Malco professional products they are more expensive but their worth it. Both interior and exterior products they offer work relly well. I used Mothers products for years until I found Malco .

There is a series of Youtube videos by a guy called OnbooSTi. He is a detailer that filmed a detail on his STi. If you have time (and patience, we are talking about car washing videos here, I got through them because my son was napping and I didn't want to wake the little jerk) he gives solid advice and some tricks of the trade to make stuff a little easier or definitively better finished product. He uses lots of stuff from Detailersdomain so I have no personal experience with his choices. I have been using mothers and Meguiars stuff for years and have no complaints. Mostly because of the price point. I wash my cars once a week and 'pro' stuff doesn't seem to really last any longer than the regular it just seems to cost more. In Oklahoma my car is dirty an hour after I wash it.

Most stuff is just personal preference just be careful with your soap, the de-waxing stuff just means you have to wax again.

yes lol. also other tips as we've learned. watch where you park, pollen, sap, landscapers, your never safe lol!

i just recently started parking in the parking garage at work. i try to get an end spot in a corner but usually park in the middle of cars with my rear protected by the wall and sides by two cars. figure thats better than parking with rear facing towards the open area. sun does damage over time,, figure theres less wind and safer in the garage. make sure the floor isnt leaking above my car when it rains and im in garage but thats one way i try to be safer lol. and car is garage kept at home to. preserving my bugeye lol

One of the greatest things I've bought was a little shop vac to sweep the car out. It does a awesome job and can get into any little crack, especially between the center console and the seats. Highly recommend a small vacuum.

i had a rechargeable dust buster that i used for a while but now i steal my moms small oreck lol. it doesnt suck as good as the ones at the car wash but more convienance, free*, dont have to leave home lol

I am not sure how crazy you want to get with this, but a few years back, I stepped up to a Porter Cable random orbital polisher and selected various pads, polishes, and sealants. I rarely use the Ultra Cut 105, but the 205 is a great mild polish. Blackfire Wet Diamond (BWD) provides unbelievably depth and it will last a good 6 months. I now follow up with an application of P21S Carnauba Wax over the BWD to provide an extra level of protection and shine. While the "over the counter" detailing products that are readily available can yield good results, I have found that they do not last that long.

I used to do all my car detailing by hand. After using my PC with a higher level of products, the results are far more impressive. Plus, my arm doesn't feel like it wants to fall off by the end of the day!

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